As a Christian, you have authority to trample on snakes and scorpions. In Luke 10:19, Jesus told 70 returning disciples rejoicing that demons were subject to His name: “Look, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. And nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Snakes and scorpions scurry, scamper and slither. They may try to intimidate you but usually run away to hide in the dark spaces and holes they live in. This figure of speech refers to demons that have similar traits. They may harass and try to take stop you in your tracks, but because of your position in Christ and what He did, you can overcome the assaults of the enemy.
Too often, people take a stance in spiritual warfare of looking up or toward demonic powers. This is the wrong stance to take in prayer when you are seated with Him in heavenly realms. From this spiritual position, you look down on demonic powers. You have a heavenly perspective and can see everything below you. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, “far above all principalities and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come” (Eph. 1:21). Ephesians 2:6-7 then says, “He raised us up and seated us together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
I recently visited the beaches of Normandy, France, where on June 6, 1944, my grandfather was with the Allied forces that invaded Nazi-occupied Europe to liberate the people under the control of the Third Reich. There were more battles to fight, but by establishing the beachhead and winning the most significant battle of the war, the Allied forces were assured of total victory. In a similar matter, the cross was the beachhead taken in the spirit, where Jesus took back the authority the devil took from mankind in the Garden of Eden. There are still spiritual battles we fight in this life until Jesus’ glorious return, but we fight from a stance of victory and from heavenly places.
Too often, Christians engage in spiritual warfare that focuses too much on the devil and shouting at demons. Some people even point up to demonic powers when praying and say, “I rebuke you…,” and they dare to mock evil entities. Saying “I rebuke you” places responsibility upon ourselves, and mocking demons is not wise. Neither of these is scriptural. Michael the archangel fought with Satan and didn’t say, “I rebuke you,” nor did he slander the heavenly beings, but instead he said, “The Lord rebuke you,” (Jude 9). He declared the authoritative name of the Lord, who alone is responsible for rebuking the enemy, and we should do the same from our position in Christ.
Jesus disarmed demonic powers at the cross, showing that they lost. Colossians 2:14-15 says, “He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us and contrary to us, and He took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed authorities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross.”
Jesus said, “Nevertheless do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20). Knowing these truths should make us worship Him more. Because of His victory, you have the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Because He won, you can trample the demonic from where you are seated in heaven. {eoa}
Jared Laskey is starting Destiny Open Bible Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is a contributing writer to Charisma‘s online magazine. He lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of His Holy Spirit. Follow him on Twitter @jaredalaskey or visit Fireborn Ministries.
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